In India, a nation renowned for its artisans and centuries-old crafts, the definition of ‘luxury’ today encompasses both ancient and modern elements. With the fashion industry constantly changing and growing, a select few luxury Indian designers have carved out their niche and made a mark with their work. From techniques to textiles, these brands are elevating the standards of luxury clothing brands in India. Let’s take a look at the eight modern Indian designers that carry authenticity and creativity at the heart of their philosophy.

PAPA DON’T PREACH BY SHUBHIKA

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Known for their eye-catching designs, Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika has been making waves in the fashion industry over the last few years. Always taking an innovative approach different from other luxury Indian designers, the brand’s silhouettes have an eclectic personality and feature a riot of bold colours and in-the-face embellishments.

Aside from their ensembles, the label’s campaigns have captured the attention of netizens for breaking stereotypes and defying norms. Not only do desi divas adore the brand, but so do Hollywood’s A-listers like Mindy Kaling and Chrissy Teigen. 

Leaping into the future of fashion, recently, the brand made headlines for being the first amongst luxury Indian designers to launch its collection in the metaverse.

JATIN MALIK

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With the vision of revolutionising the Menswear landscape in India, Jatin Malik specialises in handmade and bespoke clothing. Creating couture for men of substance who enjoy exclusivity is the eponymous label’s guiding principle. With sublime cuts and tailored fits, the brand is known for its handcrafted sherwanis and kurtas amongst grooms.

Jatin Malik offers exciting twists on traditional clothing and reinvents old styles to suit the modern man. In contrast to other luxury Indian designers in this space, the couturier’s goal is to put groomswear on the same pedestal as bridalwear in the country and around the world. 

DASH & DOT

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Founded in 2020 in the midst of a pandemic, Dash and Dot aims to globalise accessible luxury fashion from India. Weaving sustainability into their pieces, Ashray Gujral’s label has risen to prominence with their gender-agnostic designs, a departure from traditional luxury Indian fashion.

The label’s clothing echoes functionality and body positivity through activewear, workwear, swimwear, and co-ord sets. Their ‘Work-Play’ collection is highly talked-about, which caters to the work-from-home culture while being comfortable and stylish.

With a background rooted in a time when fashion had taken a back seat for most people, the brand has a nuanced knowledge of the shift in functional clothing. 

GAURAV GUPTA

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Gaurav Gupta’s eponymous label, famed for its sculpted silhouettes, has garnered attention both at home and in the west. Seen on renowned artists in music, cinema, and fashion on red carpets such as the Oscars and Cannes Film Festival, his designs play with gravity through their fluid yet steep sculptures. From Bollywood royalty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to new-age rapper Cardi B, his progressive creations have made a statement around the globe.

Showcasing an otherwordly grandeur, the designer incorporates experiential space design in each ensemble. 

Carving their name in the international couture space, their silhouettes also feature ancient Indian crafting techniques in refined structures.

KA-SHA

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Keeping people, stories, and perspectives as the core of their inspiration, Ka-Sha aims to celebrate handcrafts with their clothes. Their designs use natural fabrics and dyes along with artisanal techniques, ancient or current. 

Crafted using remnants of other designs, Patchwork has been a particular draw of their work. With reusing, repurposing, and reclaiming at the heart of their process, the brand prides itself on being a zero-waste label.

Taking sustainability one step further, designer Karishma Shahani Khan came up with ‘Heart To Haat,’ a sister label that produces clothing entirely from leftover Ka-Sha textiles and clothing that would otherwise go to landfill.

HOUSE OF MASABA

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Famously known as the ‘Queen Of Prints,’ the multi-hyphenate Masaba Gupta has been loved by many for her free-spirited designs. Amalgamating traditional techniques with contemporary, she stepped into the world of fashion at the young age of 19. Fusing her Caribbean and Indian artistic knowledge, the label features fierce silhouettes rooted in culture. 

Apart from her designs, the illustrious label has also been in the news for their foray into exciting collaborations with platforms such as Nykaa, Amrapali, and a capsule collection with the HBO show Game Of Thrones. 
Breaking stereotypes one experimental style at a time, the millennial-adored designer has inspired aspiring luxury Indian designers since her debut!

DOH TAK KEH

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An unconventional name with an equally distinctive design line-up, Doh Tak Keh derives its name from the Hindi slang, ‘2 paise’,  something that Juhi Melwani’s mother commonly used to describe her sense of style. Their collection features attention-grabbing androgynous streetwear, crafted with sustainable measures, including recycled paper, discarded scrap, and single-use plastic products, among other things considered ‘waste’ by many luxury Indian designers.

Altering cheap materials into high-end streetwear, their work consists of jackets, Co-ord sets, shirts, trousers, and corsets. Contrary to other luxury Indian designers, the brand strives to liberate fashion from vanity by combining traditional embroidery and printing techniques with a quirky twist.

TORANI

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With storytelling at the heart of their designs, Torani’s ensembles hold a lingering nostalgia. Inspired by his grandmother’s Chanderi sarees and their simplistic yet timeless charm, Karan Torani found his connection to Indian handlooms. Rooted in culture, the label aims to revive age-old crafts from across the country with each collection. Bringing traditional simplicity to the forefront, the brand offers designs that aim to make space as heirlooms in people’s closets.

A rare choice for luxury Indian designers; fashion films have served as the label’s magnum opus when it comes to showcasing new collections, making it an extraordinary visual experience where their garments and the tales flow like poetry.